That's a typo, shoulda read: "Shoulder Strap, similar to what Bear Grylls uses.:oQuote:
Originally Posted by survivalhike
I always want lots of "cordage" with me!;)
Printable View
That's a typo, shoulda read: "Shoulder Strap, similar to what Bear Grylls uses.:oQuote:
Originally Posted by survivalhike
I always want lots of "cordage" with me!;)
Even as I read it I could hear that British accent saying "cordage." In BG's world it seems everything "makes excellent cordage."
Screw making "cordage," I'll just unravel by 550 belt!
Bass Pro Shops also sells 550, and they have it for less than $5 for a hundred feet in olive drab. Not too bad if you live close to the Mecca of camping and fishing supplies.
Para cord is very useful in a survival situation but I would take a good knife first, using it to reppel would screw up your hands really bad as the smal size even doubled would burn your hands up, we used 550paracord in the army for just about everything you can think of but it can also be dangerous supporting your weight, it is sheathed inside nylon and if any of the strands fray or break inside the sheath you could take a nasty fall, hemp rope is best for reppeling.
We gotta Bass Pro Shop here now and there ok, kinda pricy.
I think 550 is great stuff to have and I have quite a bit of it but also kep and carry other line. Breaking down 550 is useful to a certian extent but once you break it down you don't have 550 any more you have a bunch of string and a sheath.
I thought I'd throw my 2 cents into the mix. There are a lot of variations on paracord. Many meet official military specifications for their required use and many don't. However, there are generally two types that you will see for sale. MIL-C-5040 Type III and 550 Commercial Type III.
MIL-C-5040, from a wholesale perspective, is about twice the price of 550 Commercial. That's why you often see such a wide variation in price. You can expect to pay in the $45+ range for Commercial 550 for a 1000 foot spool and in the 75+ range for MIL-C-5040 for a 1000 foot spool (retail). The cost, of course, depends on manufacturer and the retailer's markup but that will put you in the ballpark. It even gets more confusing because the minimum breaking strength for 550 Commercial varies by manufacturer. Some are as low as 250 pounds while others will certify their commercial cord at 550 pounds, the same as MIL-C-5040 Type III.
If you want some cordage for field use (that's what this forum is about, right?) then 550 Commercial Type III should be sufficient. Not certain why anyone would want to pay the additional money for genuine MIL-C-5040 just to replace a boot lace or to be able to carry some thread or fishing line. Is MIL-C-5040 better that 550 Commercial? Probably, depending on manufacturer. It won't shrink nearly as much because it goes through a shrink process for coloring (except the natural or white color). The 550 Commercial will shrink more because it's a solution dyed material. Regardless of what you hear, paracord shrinks although the amount of shrinkage in MIL-C-5040 is negligible. But the 550 Commercial is still tough as nails, lightweight, and less expensive. Folks seem to have it in their heads that if it isn't MIL-C-5040 then it must not be quality material and that's just not true. Granted, I wouldn't want my parachute canopy strung with 550 Commercial Type III but 550 Commercial Type III for use outdoors is just fine and should excel for general cordage use. Not convinced? Buy some of each and field test it. I'll bet quality 550 Commercial meets all your needs and then some.
I would shy away from paracord with less than seven inner strands and certainly bypass any that has internal fibers rather than strand. The whole purpose of taking the stuff with you is to have as much cordage as possible and why carry paracord with five inner strands when you can carry seven for the same price? For a ten foot piece of paracord that's 60 feet vs. 80 feet (inner strands + outer sheath).
Just look for cord that has seven inner strands and you will "probably" have the 550 Commercial Type III. Look at the add closely, if it says "meets MIL-C-5040 requirements", "Just like MIL-C-5040", etc. then you probably have 550 Commercial.
An add that says Type III paracord really doesn't tell you anything. Neither does 550 pound rated or 550 Type III. Either type could qualify. If you have any questions, ask your retailer for specifics. They should be able to furnish it including whether or not the cord is certified as MIL-C-5040 and/or the minimum breakage rating. If they can't, find another retailer. Just be wary if they tell you it's 550 Commercial and it has a minimum breakage rating of 550 pounds. That may not be the case unless it is certified at that weight. They may be sincere in their belief but they may also be very wrong. You might also want to ask where the paracord is manufactured and if the manufacturer is a current U.S. military provider. A U.S. based manufacturer that supplies the military must meet stringent specifications and that quality usually overlaps to their commercial products. It's expensive to retool just to make different qualities.
Paracord, even MIL-C-5040 was not designed, and it should not be used, for climbing or rappelling. While its uses are many and varied, it does not contain the same properties and safety characteristics as climbing rope. Paracord is not fine-tuned for the optimum combination of weight, number of falls, impact force, elongation, handling and durability that is found in commercial climbing ropes. Ropes designed primarily for sport climbing must provide a soft catch and be durable, while not having too much elongation. Paracord does not provide any of these features. That is not what it is designed for. Don't put you life at risk by misusing paracord to climb or rappel with.
Now, a note on survival bracelets. You can find a lot of survival bracelets in two tone or even three tones. To make a bracelet in two tones, MOST braiders use two five foot pieces and fuse them together (someone is sure to tell me they don't do it that way. Fine). What you wind up with is two five foot pieces, which means you have shorter inner strands. If that isn't a concern for you and you are more interested in the look, then two tone may be a good choice. If, however, you want as much continuous cordage as you can conveniently carry, then choose a one color bracelet. Again, if you have any questions, ask the braider before you buy.
I'll bet I get hammered by someone for all this info :O) but I do deal with the stuff, make survival bracelets, retail survival equipment, and deal with the rope manufacturers so I have a bit of history and knowledge of it. I won't plug my company here but your safety could be at stake if you misuse paracord and that's a concern to me.
Wikipedia has a nice article on MIL-C-5040. Just Google paracord wikipedia and it should come up.
I hope that helps, particularly if you are a newby.
Rick
I have been wanting to buy some for awile
If you shop online for items such as this a great site is
www.uscav.com
This site sells it in a length of 300' or 100'
Borelli,
They are selling 550 Commercial at 6.5 cents a foot for 300'. Try these guys for 4.9 cents a foot for a 300' piece. They are about as inexpensive for 550 Commercial as you'll find.
http://www.imsplus.com/ims47i.html
The strongest, best Paracord, is the newest one from the US Military called MIL-C-5040 Type III. rated for 550lbs and it is now "ORANGE" in color (per the Gov) This is the newest cord, and they tell that by the orange color, it does cost a little more, but your life may depend on it! Some of the inexpensive 550 type 111 Commercial paracord is rated as low as 50lb max.
The Orange Version is strictly Military Specification and was manufactured specifically at the request of the United States Military. Its military designation is MIL-C-5040 Revision H, Type III International Orange.
I don't know about anyone else, but, since my life depends on it, I always ask to see a "Certification" from the Seller. JMHO
The MIL-C-5040 Type III designation has been around for quite a while. The company I buy from is a certified supplier to the U.S. military and I spoke with the sales mgr. just a couple of weeks ago (11-16). They are still supplying natural (white), black and OD to the military along with orange. I think foliage green is the newest addition. Some of you that are still jumping can correct if need be but that's what my supplier is producing for Uncle Sam.
You can, of course, purchase commercial 550 in just about any color you want. As I indicated above, some is just as good and to the same specifications as MIL-C-5040. The level of quality depends on the manufacturer. As long as the commercial 550 is certified at a 550 lb. rating (and has the 7 inner strands) I don't see any reason to pay double the price. IMHO.
Ahhh, baling twine; surely one of the two wonders of the modern world (the other being duct tape). You only need to use sisal baling twine.
Oh, bailing WIRE for sure. Long story about a 1964 Ford Galaxy XL and jumping a ravine. Anyway, the bailing wire held the gas tank on for a long, long time despite the rhythmic sway the gasoline inside caused. You know the old saying, "If the Ford's a rockin'...that's just the bailing wire." At least I think that's how the saying goes.
550 parachute cord is great stuff. When in the rangers, we used it to tie our boots and extracted a single nylon strand to sew our torn clothes or tie several together for a fishing line, or singularly as a snare for small game etc..
What would be the permanent knot for attaching 550 parachute cord to a small metal object like a shackle? Should I use something hold it from coming loose? Melt the rope at all? Tape it?
Hello David Beniuk welcome to the forum. An anchor hitch may work for you, but it would be helpful to know the application that you plan on using it for. I like to melt the ends of my para cord to keep it from fraying. I've also been playing around with making some survival bracelettes. That's why I'm asking you about the application.
Also, there's an introduction section here http://www.wilderness-survival.net/f...splay.php?f=14 where you can tell us a bit about yourself. Ya know - wilderness experience, general area that you hail from, hobies - that sort of stuff. Again, welcome to the forum.
hey thanks for the link. i've been thinking of trying to tye one for a while but was unsure of the knot sequence. ive got to give this a try.Quote:
Originally Posted by survivalhike
many have already stated but i just bought a 300' spool from cheaper than dirt for 12.00 last week.
i wrap 50' around my pistol belt. it only goes about 1/2 way around so i can still put small sheaths on part of the belt. my srk and survival pouch are large enough to slide over the paracord wraping and it is still comfortable to wear. don't even know its there.
i also like the power pro fishing line in the 100 lb test. very thin and you can wrap a ton around a nail and still packs very small. works great for many everyday tasks in the woods without cutting up the 550 cord.
awfoxden - Try using a sewing machine spool for the fishing line. It holds tons of fishing line in a compact space. When you have all you want on it just tape the end so it doesn't unravel.
Here is another great site on what can be done with paracord.
http://stormdrane.blogspot.com/
David - There are over 4000 knots so the application for the paracord is all important.
that sewing machine spool should have a nick on the end to pull the end of the thread,or string though to keep from unraveling
Thanks, Nell. I didn't see one on mine but it might have been hiding. These eyes.....(shakes his head).
I picked up three at Wally World for a buck 2.98 or something cheap like that. It's wasn't much at all.
Yea it is hard to see sometimes,I just drag the thread along the egde on the end until it snags it,just like on the end of a spool of fishing line.
Rick, TDW told me to tell you thank you for turning me into a walking spool of 1000' of cordage. :eek:Quote:
Originally Posted by Rick
Awesome site.
I will be permanently connecting the 550 parachute cord to a 3/16" quick link to be exact. (http://www.bearclawmfg.com/catalog/images/quick.jpg) It will be for hoisting my bag up or down a cliff. Or if I just need a little more help up a slope (nothing dangerous). Anchor Knot the best for my application?
A bowline may be the simpilest and work very well. Anchor hitch would also work.
I do like those clamps. I have two on my pack.
Crash is right on both his choices. It's hard to beat a Bowline. Both are good knots that pull against themselves and work well under a variety of loads. A Clovis Hitch is another good choice (Not a clove hitch!!).
Alpine - Your welcome. Now, if we can just figure out how to make a Gillie suit out of single piece of paracord..........
[QUOTE=Rick;35605]awfoxden - Try using a sewing machine spool for the fishing line. It holds tons of fishing line in a compact space. When you have all you want on it just tape the end so it doesn't unravel.
rick,
my idea for using the nail to wrap the line on is to be able to use the nail in a survival situation if needed i.e. a spear point or in shelter building. also i would imagint the line wraped around the nail is much smaller to fit in a small kit than a spool.
by the way i use the braided 550 and made a lanyard that i can wear around my neck with a small key ring on the end to which i attaced my blast match. i used aprox 35' of cord for a nice length. its a bit scratchy on bear skin but with a shirt with a colar it wears well. i also wraped the handle of my wetterling hatchet and looks great feels good in the hand and adds 10-15' of cord to my everyday wilderness treck.
I think tadgear has it in florescent colors too..
I shy away from wearing anything around my neck that won't freely break. I know the odds are pretty remote that it would get hung up but with my luck I'd hang myself going down an embankment.
I have 12,000 feet of that stuff. It's green camo. It works great, it even has 7 interior threads for tying on flethcing or making fishing line or trap parts. But the only problem I have with it is it slips a lot when wet, ever try hunting in the rain?. I use hemp cordage for my light bows but the paracord for my heavier bows, and it slips and the arrow grip sucks.
What type of knot are you using?
Bowline knot, it fits perfect but the string is what is slippery knot the knot, im pulling 60 pounds on my big bows.
Small figure eight knot are what I used to use but they consume to much of the line.
Get a small pouch of rosin for using it when you are in wet conditions. "Chalk" up your fingers - shouldn't slip.
cool, thanks never tried it, ill try next rain.
I tried 550 cord for a bow string once. It stretches.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jericho117
Yes it does stretch quite a bit, but unstringing it after use it retains it's natural length. But it's all I have.
Here is an example of things one can make to store cord.
Lanyard:
http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/2/8/8...43034909_o.jpg
And a fob over a 1" steel ball:
http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/2/8/8...75178985_o.jpg
Gee, MORE ADVERTISING :mad:
NotedQuote:
Originally Posted by Gray Wolf
Sorry
Sorces of cord
www.SupplyCaptain.Com has great selection and 33 colors
www.Georgia-Outfitters.Com lower prices, less selection, 'thinner' cord.
The best place I have found to buy this stuff is at www.para-cord.com they sell a whole plethora of colors, and its pretty cheap too! About $20.00 for 250 feet.